Nationals vow to block the EU trade deal, but the Coalition is yet to decide

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has urged the Liberals to pass the agreement in the Senate.

Confirmed

Australia's trade deal with the European Union (EU) is in trouble in the Senate. Nationals leader Matt Canavan vowed on Friday that his party would block it. The Liberals say the Coalition shares those concerns, but it has not formally decided yet, Australian Associated Press reported. The deal was signed in March. It "could be worth up to $30 billion in trade", the news agency reported. Now former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has urged the Liberals to pass it, Politico reported. Mathias Cormann, a former Liberal finance minister, warned that "others like New Zealand will continue to cut our lunch" if Australia waits. Trade Minister Don Farrell said blocking the deal would be "economic self-harm". Labor needs either the Coalition or the Greens to get it through the Senate. Minister Chris Bowen said the Government will find a way. It is not yet known when the Coalition will make its decision, or how the Greens will vote. The deal matters most for farmers and exporters.